Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — December 2025
In a landmark moment for Vietnam’s rapidly growing esports landscape, GAM Esports CEO TK Nguyen was honored as Businessman of the Year | Esports at the prestigious Men’s FOLIO Vietnam Male Icon Awards 2025.
This recognition marks more than a personal milestone for TK — it represents a historic moment for the Vietnam esports community, signaling the industry’s growing influence in culture, business, and youth entertainment.
A New Chapter for Vietnamese Esports on the National Stage
Held at Le Méridien Saigon, the Male Icon Awards gathered some of Vietnam’s most celebrated figures in entertainment, fashion, business, and culture.
Standing among them, TK delivered a message that resonated deeply across social media:
“Standing alongside many of Vietnam’s top celebrities and cultural icons was a powerful reminder of how far esports has come, and how meaningful it is for our industry to be recognized on the same stage.”
For the first time, esports was celebrated alongside Vietnam’s leading industries — a strong signal that competitive gaming has firmly entered the country’s cultural mainstream.
Honoring the Pioneers Who Built the Foundation
In his acceptance message, TK emphasized that this award reflects the collective effort of countless people who built the industry long before esports became a headline topic:
“This award is not mine alone. It was built on the sacrifices of the pioneers who came before us — the early players competing with no guarantees, the coaches and staff working tirelessly behind the scenes, the organizers keeping the ecosystem alive, and the fans who believed long before esports became mainstream.”
The sentiment mirrors the ethos that has shaped GAM Esports: a movement grounded in gratitude, community, and relentless belief in what Vietnamese and Southeast Asian talent can achieve globally.
GAM Esports: From Local Dream to Global Movement
As the CEO of one of Vietnam’s most iconic esports organizations, TK has transformed GAM from a championship team into a cultural symbol. Under his leadership, the GAM brand has expanded beyond competition into:
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International league participation (LCP Tier 1)
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Global stages including MSI and Esports World Cup
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Record-setting viewership across APAC
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Cross-industry partnerships with FPT, Vietjet, Monster Energy, Logitech
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Community-first storytelling through the GAM Changers podcast
But TK is quick to clarify that GAM’s journey is only one piece of a larger story:
“GAM Esports is just one chapter in a much bigger movement. Our mission remains clear: to unite and inspire the next generation, and to elevate Vietnam and Southeast Asia onto the global esports stage.”
This mission has shaped GAM’s identity and positioned the team as ambassadors for Southeast Asian esports globally.
A Turning Point for Vietnam’s Esports Future
Beyond celebrating individual achievement, TK views the award as an indicator of the industry’s trajectory:
“This recognition signals something important — esports is no longer emerging. It is becoming part of Vietnam’s cultural and economic future.”
With Vietnam’s young demographic, deep gaming culture, and rising digital economy, esports is increasingly seen as a catalyst for:
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Youth engagement
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Media and entertainment innovation
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Tourism and live events
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Technology adoption
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Brand partnerships and economic development
TK’s acknowledgment reinforces the idea that esports is transitioning from niche passion to a mainstream cultural driver — and Vietnam is positioned to lead Southeast Asia into the next decade of global competition.
Looking Forward: “We’re Here to Change the GAMe”
As 2026 approaches, GAM Esports continues expanding across new titles, new content platforms, and new international opportunities. And with TK Nguyen’s recognition as Businessman of the Year | Esports, the organization enters its next chapter with more momentum than ever.
His closing words capture the spirit fueling GAM and the wider esports community:
“We’re not here to just play the game — we’re here to change the GAMe.” 🚀
About GAM Esports
Founded in 2014, GAM Esports is Vietnam’s premier esports organization, known for its dominance in League of Legends and its role in elevating Southeast Asian esports onto the global stage. With multiple national championships, international appearances at MSI, Worlds, and Esports World Cup, and a growing entertainment ecosystem, GAM remains a cultural icon and leader in Vietnam’s youth movement.
